most
thwart, and should not be discovered till I had reached the other ship.
I would then tell my story to the commander, who if he would not have
compassion on me would probably not think it worth while to send me back
that night, and before the morning a breeze might spring up and the
ships be separated.

I waited concealed under the long-boat stowed amidships till I fancied
that there was no one near the side where the whale-boat lay. I then
crept out and got into the main chains. I was just about to lower
myself down when a huge hand was placed on my shoulder, and I heard a
voice which I knew to be that of old Growles.

"Come inboard, you young rascal!" he said; "you're not going to get off
as easily as you fancy. It's lucky for you that you didn't get into the
boat, for you would have been found to a certainty, and handed over to
our skipper, who would have knocked the life out of you."

"What's all this about? How did you know I wanted to get into the
boat?" I asked, in a tone of assumed astonishment.

"'Cos I've seen you watching ever since she came alongside," answered
Growles; "so take that--and that,"--and hauling me inboard, he bestowed
several blows with the end of a rope on my back.

I ran forward to escape from him, and stowed myself away in my bunk, as
it was my watch below.

We at last reached Macao, where our cargo of furs was discharged, and
for which I believe a very high price was obtained. I had no wish, from
what I had heard of the Chinese, to go and live among them, and I
therefore did not attempt to get on shore, although I had reason to
believe that I was all the time narrowly watched by old Growles and the
boatswain.

Instead of the furs and skins we shipped a cargo of tea in chests, and
other Chinese produce. Part of this was to be landed at Sydney, New
South Wales, and the rest, if no market could be found there for it, was
to be carried on to America. This would greatly prolong the voyage, and
consequently my miseries. I had hitherto been supported by the
expectation of soon reaching home and being emancipated from my bondage.

I had no dislike to the sea; and had I been well treated even in my
subordinate position I should have been contented to remain where I was,
and to try and learn as much as I could; but to be kicked and beaten and
knocked down every day of my life--to have the dirtiest of work and the
worst of food--to be sworn at and abused at all hours--made me wel